Bedrock Talks from Bedrock Learning

Ever wondered how every academic subject can contribute to literacy development? 

This episode promises to enlighten you, as we chat with Mel King, Assistant Head and Subject Lead for History at St Simon Stock Catholic School, has worked closely with Bedrock champion school, St Anselm's Catholic School (case study here) to develop the use of Bedrock Mapper in her history curriculum. 

Mel shares her experience with Mapper, a revolutionary tool that has profoundly improved students' literacy. Inspired by Catherine Mortimer's "Disciplinary Literacy," Mel's story reveals how Mapper’s successful implementation across all subjects significantly enhances students' grasp of essential historical terms.

Mel walks us through the impressive progress in reading ages and the sense of fulfilment students experience when they earn badges and certificates.  We really address the nuts and bolts of implementation, and how Bedrock Mapper has supported Mel's learners to become true historians. 

This episode is a goldmine of practical advice and insights on implementing change in schools and boosting literacy skills.  Look out for the killed/murdered/assassinated discussion! 

How would your educational journey have changed if your teachers focused on disciplinary literacy? That's the intriguing question we tackle with Mark Miller, director of Bradford Research Schools and an English teacher at heart. This episode is an invitation into the world of disciplinary literacy, shining a light on the intricate dance between subject content and literacy skills, and the profound impact they have on the learner's journey.

As we navigate through this enlightening conversation, we touch on the importance of explicit goals in teaching and how it can shape the cognitive load of students. We discuss how reading strategies can evolve into effortless routines, with teachers playing an instrumental role in this journey. Mark shares the value of small, focused changes, like enhancing vocabulary, in bolstering disciplinary literacy in schools.

Finally, we delve into the power of words in the context of science, and the role of literacy in subjects it often seems detached from. The Freya model of teaching vocabulary makes an appearance, along with a discussion about its benefits and limitations. Tune in to this rich conversation and arm yourself with valuable wisdom and ideas for your educational pursuits.

Mentioned in the episode:  EEF Improving Secondary Literacy guidance reports

You can hear more from Mark @markmillerteach and  Bradford Research School, @BradResearchSch. Find out more about upcoming events with Bradford research school, or find a research school near you. 

Discover how geography educator, Kate Stockings, reshapes entire curriculums and inspires a new generation of young geographers.

Welcome to the very first episode of our Literacy Works with Bedrock Learning podcast. In this first chat, we connect with  Kate Stockings, the trust lead for geography, who's spearheaded monumental changes in Key Stage 3 curriculums at two schools. Kate pulls back the curtain on this process, sharing her personal experiences and strategies for refreshing geography topics and bringing them back to life. She illuminates the importance of teamwork and collaboration in fostering curriculum development as well as the critical role that 'disciplinary literacy' plays.

Turning the tables on traditional learning, we take an intriguing look at inquiry-based education within the realm of geography. Picture your students as investigators, their curiosity ignited as they question, engage, and dive deep into the subject. We navigate the intricate terrain of teaching geography vocabulary, underlining the importance of precision and a thorough understanding of specific terms that can often be roadblocks in a student's journey to proficiency.

Wrapping up, we dive into the joys and trials of curriculum decision-making with Kate. Kate emphasizes the value of respecting diverse approaches to reach educational goals and the thoughtful decision-making behind it. We guarantee you will walk away with an enlightening insider's view of curriculum planning and development. Whether you're an educator, a geography enthusiast, or someone interested in the behind-the-scenes of curriculum planning, this is a conversation you don't want to miss!

Find more from Kate on her website, or follow her on X @kate_stockings.